Boxer dogs are energetic, playful, and very loyal. They make wonderful lifelong companions. Because you will share your life with your dog for years to come, you want to extend your dog’s life in a healthy way. You have to feed the best dog food for boxers to your dog.

One of the things boxers need in their food is lots of protein. Protein is generally important for large breeds of dogs like boxers, for instance. Boxers are high-energy, also. In this case, boxer dogs need a calorie dense food as well.

Another important thing to observe when selecting dog food is the ingredient list. You want a dog food without lots of empty fillers. This is healthier for your dog and, ultimately, your pocketbook as well.

High Quality Dog Food: How To Spot It

Many dog food is full of fillers. These may not necessarily be harmful to your dog, but they aren’t giving good nutrition, either. You will find that some of the best dog food for boxers on the market seems expensive. Remember that you are paying for more nutrient dense food, however.

The only way to know if your dog food is high-quality is to look at the label. It is also worth mentioning that some dogs have certain food allergies. Read the labels and omit foods containing problematic food for your dog.

Boxers are especially prone to food allergies. The most common allergen producing culprits are wheat, corn, and soy. If your boxer has food allergies, it is probably to one of these foods. Your vet can confirm this for you.​

Furthermore, these ingredients don’t contain much nutritional value. While it is ok for your dog food to contain wheat, corn, or soy as long as your dog isn’t allergic, you want to minimize the quantity of these ingredients. This is because they signal to us that the food has lower nutritional density.​

Learn All About Dog Food Labels

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) regulates dog food labels. The packaging will tell you all you need to know. Read it to figure out if you have the best dog food for boxers.

Single ingredients advertised on the front of the dog food packaging must comprise 95% of the composition of the food. This does not include water. In addition, there are similar regulations for the other ingredients in dog food.

For example, food that advertises two ingredients must contain 95% of those two ingredients. In other words, food that announces it is made of venison and sweet potato must be 95% venison and sweet potato.

On the other hand, the terms ‘dinner, platter, and entree’ are also regulated. Food with these signal words on the label must be made of at least 25% of those ingredients to comply with AAFCO labeling qualifications.

Finally, dog food that points out that the food is made ‘with cheese’ is regulated as well. This phrase signifies that the food must have 3% of the ingredient referred to in that way on the label.

Want To Know More About Ingredients?

Above, I’ve referenced percentages of ingredients. That requires more explanation. This distinction is based on weight. Therefore, wet ingredients will weigh more and should naturally fall toward the start of the ingredient list. Conversely, if they do not, you are right to worry that there isn’t much of that ingredient present at all.

That being said, the ingredients at the end of the list are important as well. They may fall to the end simply because they weight less. They may still contain vital nutrients in sufficient amounts.

Dog Food With Grains, Is It The Devil?

Let me keep it real with you for just a moment. The low-carb, gluten free lifestyle is trendy right now. That is a controversial topic I am not going to discuss here. What I do want to tell you is that the panic over grains in dog food is unfounded.

Unless your dog is allergic to grains, they are perfectly safe in dog food. Conversely, you do not want a dog food that is mostly grain based. In other words, the grains are safe enough in most cases, but not the very best ingredient in terms of nutritional value.​

Grains, especially corn, is used as a filler ingredient. It is not harmful in most cases but neither is it easily digestible or nutrient dense. A good rule is that some is fine, too much can signal a poor quality dog food.

What If I’m Confused?

Here is another reality check for you. This might sound controversial. You don’t have to drive yourself mad about your dog’s food. There are really only a few things to keep in mind.

The best dog food for boxers will display the AAFCO seal of approval. This seal communicates a balanced, complete food. Start there and you are on the right track.

In addition, remember what we’ve learned about ingredient lists. You ideally want meat listed as the first or top three ingredients and any grains to fall further on the list.

Finally, many of the best dog food for boxers is not going to come out of a grocery store. Your best bet for finding the best dog food for boxers is to shop online for a specific product that you have researched.

Additionally, you can purchase dog food from your vet’s office. For example, you can combine these tactics by asking what your vet sells and why, and then looking online for the best deal on that food.

The Best Dog Food For Boxers: 5 Best Brands​

You’ve already learned a lot about what you should feed your boxer. You want to select a high-quality food that is AAFCO compliant. Remember to look for that label!

You also want a food containing mostly meat and protein. Finally, the food should have other, healthy and high calorie ingredients to keep your dog’s energy up.

I’ve kept all of this in mind when selecting the following products to review for you. Let me tell you how I’ve gone about choosing the foods below.

I have selected 5 foods great for boxers that other dog owners like, too. I have also considered the ‘to do’ list about nutrition, quality, calories, and protein. Finally, I will explain some pros and cons to each food in terms of what customers complain about and what they praise.

Please remember that this buying guide is simply that: a guide. It does not, should not, and cannot replace the valuable advice from your veterinarian.​

1. Taste of the Wild High Prairie

Via Amazon.com

Taste of the Wild is an all-natural dog food that is well suited to boxers. It is human-grade dog food. The meat content is wild game and all hormone free. It contains wild game meats that are also hormone free.

Additionally, there are small amounts of roasted and smoked meats in this food. Your dog might love the different taste! It is This food contains 32% protein and 18% fat.

There are carbohydrates in this food. That being said, the main source of the carbohydrates is sweet potato. Sweet potatoes are a healthier alternative because they are lower on the glycemic index than white potatoes. Additionally, sweet potatoes contain antioxidants.

Pros

Great taste from smoked meats your dog will love.

Complex carbohydrates from sweet potatoes are good for your dog.

The protein source is hormone free wild game.

This dog food is human grade!

Cons

This healthy food has a less than ideal omega-to-omega fat ratio of 9.3:1. This can generally be supplemented, however, by providing your dog fish oil. Always speak with your vet before giving your dog any type of supplement.

2. Wellness CORE Original Formula Dry Dog Food

Via Amazon.com

Wellness CORE Natural Grain Free Dry Dog Food has a name that says it all. The food is for adult dogs and contains turkey, chicken, salmon oil and fruits and vegetables. Additionally, the food contains antioxidants, probiotics, vitamins, and minerals. Furthermore, it features a fish and flax omega blend. This blend keeps your dog's skin and coat in prime condition.

The manufacturer states there are no meat by-products or fillers, grain, corn, soy, or wheat-gluten in the food. There are also no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors.

It is made in the United States and backed by a Wellness Guarantee.

Pros

High-quality protein sources from whole foods are good for your dog.

There are fruits and vegetables in this food that have a high antioxidant content.

This food has probiotics and healthy fish oils.

Cons

Some dogs have a negative digestive reaction to this food. Watch out for loose and bad smelling stools to vomiting.

Sometimes this food is sold past its best freshness date. Inspect the food carefully before feeding it to your dog. It has less preservatives than some other shelf stable dog food.

3. Purina Pro Plan Focus Dry Dog Food

Via Amazon.com

Purina Pro Plan is a dog food you may find in your store or order online. Purina is one of the top manufacturers of dog food in the US.

This version promises to be better than the norm, however. The food is high in protein. Chicken is listed as the first ingredient. In addition, there is adequate levels of natural glucosamine in the food.

This can help with proper development and maintenance of cartilage and joints. The food also contains omega rich fish oil to support your dog’s vision and mental function. Additionally, there are antioxidants, calcium, phosphorus and other minerals in the food.

Pros

This food is economical to buy.

The food has a high protein content.

Your dog’s vision and mental function could improve from the healthy omega fats in this food.

Chicken is the first ingredient in this food.

Cons

This food contains a fair amount of corn and wheat. Many dog owners find this undesirable.

The size of the kibble can be inconsistent. This may bother sensitive dogs.

4. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Dog Food

Via Amazon.com

This diet is based on the diet of wolves. It is grain-free and full of protein. The duck flavor is certainly interesting! best dog food for boxers

The protein in this food comes from deboned duck, chicken meal, and turkey meal supply. Additionally, carbohydrate sources in this food are sweet potatoes, peas, and potatoes. For added antioxidants, this food also contains blueberries, cranberries, and carrots.

It is great to feed your dog a formulated diet containing whole foods.

Pros

This food is easy to find. Lots of dog owners feed their dog Blue Buffalo food.

This food has high-quality sources of protein from real meat.

This food also contains antioxidants and complex carbohydrates.

This is a grain free food!

Cons

This food could cause allergies in your dog if you have a sensitive dog. This won’t happen to all dogs, however.

The ingredients of this food contain Alfalfa Meal. That being said, it is not high on the ingredient list.

The Best Food For Your Boxer? What’s The Verdict?

You have to test any food changes out with your dog. Watch your dog for any sign of allergies carefully. Please also let your vet know if you are making changes to your dog’s diet.

Finally, I hope you will share this review with your friends. Tell them about our website here! We want to bring you all of the best information about pet health and have some fun at the same time. That takes a community of people just like you.

Lauren

Lauren is a young woman with a true passion for animals. She has kept many pets over the years and has intimate knowledge of their needs both emotionally and physically. She loves that her dogs keep her so active and satisfy her desire to spend lots of time in nature.

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Lauren is a young woman with a true passion for animals. She has kept many pets over the years and has intimate knowledge of their needs both emotionally and physically. She loves that her dogs keep her so active and satisfy her desire to spend lots of time in nature.Read more...

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